25Synonyms found for farm

Word Origin & History

farm c.1300, from O.Fr. ferme "lease," from M.L. firma "fixed payment," from L. firmare "to fix, settle, confirm, strengthen," from firmus "firm" (see firm (adj.)). Sense of "tract of leased land" is first recorded early 14c.; that of "cultivated land" (leased or not) is 1520s. The verm, in its agricultural sense, is 1719. Original sense is retained in to farm out. Phrase buy the farm "die in battle," is at least from World War II, perhaps a cynical reference to the draftee's dream of getting out of the war and going home, in many cases to a peaceful farmstead. But fetch the farm is prisoner slang ...from at least 1879 for "get sent to the infirmary," with reference to the better diet and lighter duties there.